Coffee, Scrubs and Rubber Gloves: Redefining Power and Purpose for Women in Dentistry
Dr. Grace Yum
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Summer 2025
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Summer Contributors
Dr. Maggie Augustyn Dr. Camden Brown
Kelly Duggan
Janiece C. Ervin
Kendra Flowers
Kathryn Gilliam
Sara Ritchie
Johanna J. Tesoniero
Deanna Otts- Whitfield
Beverly Wilburn
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As the summer sun casts its light over longer days and clearer skies, I’m reminded that this season, much like the women in our DeW community, is one of radiant transformation.
It’s no coincidence that this issue is full of stories that shine with resilience, reinvention, and radical self-acceptance. These are not just tales of career pivots or professional accomplishments,though there are many of those to celebrate. These are stories of women rising from the ashes of pain, burnout, loss, or limitation, and soaring higher than ever before.
Our radiant cover DeW, Dr. Grace Yum, shows us that what tugs at your heart is a call to build something bigger than yourself. Grace answered that call with courage and grit, creating a community where women rise and lead together while balancing motherhood and modern business. Her journey reminds us to listen deeply, lead boldly, and lift each other higher.
Dr. Johanna Tesoniero’s journey left me speechless. She has faced unimaginable setbacks, physically, emotionally, professionally, and each time, she’s chosen not to crumble, but to rise. Her words, “Face Everything and Rise,” aren’t just a mantra, they’re a mission. Through loss of control, uncertainty, and the heartbreak of stepping away from the clinical chair, she found a greater calling. And in doing so, she reminds us that our worth is never defined by what we do with our hands, but by how we lead with our hearts.
Kathryn Gilliam opens the door to another kind of reinvention, the journey from selfdoubt to self-love. With disarming honesty, she unpacks the mental “saboteurs” so many of us carry around: the Judge, the Pleaser, the Hyper-Achiever. Her story hits home because it’s one we all know too well. But what shines through is her courage. She doesn’t just call out those inner bullies, she shows us how to quiet them, love ourselves louder, and walk in full ownership of our worth. In Kathryn’s story, I see every woman who’s ever asked, “Am I enough?” And I see the resounding answer: Yes. Absolutely, yes.
And then there’s the fabulous career twist that many of us dream about, but few dare to pursue. From clinical hygiene to full-time image consultant, by Kelly Duggan (whose story may just spark your next move!) reminds us that reinvention isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. By taking ownership of her professional presence and helping others do the same, she teaches that you are your most important asset. Not just what you wear, say, or do, but who you are.
Together, these stories reflect the season perfectly. Summer is when things bloom. When the hard work beneath the surface finally breaks through. When we realize that the heat we’ve endured wasn’t there to burn us, but to transform us.
In every article, you’ll see what makes DeW so special: the courage to tell the truth, the wisdom to evolve, and the sisterhood that makes it all possible. These women show us that our paths may twist, turn, or even pause entirely, but they are never broken. And when we walk them together, anything is possible.
So wherever you are in your story, rising from ashes, reclaiming your light, or ready to make a bold leap into something new, know this: you are not alone. You are part of a vibrant, fiercely supportive tribe of women who see you, believe in you, and will remind you who you are when you forget.
With love, Anne
“Like
the Phoenix,
she will rise not in spite of the fire—but because of it.” — Unknown
6 Coffee, Scrubs and Rubber Gloves: Redefining Power and Purpose for Women in Dentistry Dr. Grace Yum DeW Dish
Your Strengths 14 From Envy to Empowerment: A Journey to Loving My Path
Dr. Maggie Augustyn
16 Live Like the Phoenix: Face Everything and Rise
Johanna J. Tesoniero
Resilience
18 The Journey from Self-Doubt to Self-Love
Kathryn Gilliam
24 Becoming Embodied From External Achievements to Intuition, Confidence, and Power
Dr. Camden Brown
28 Resilience and Reinvention: My Journey from the Marine Corps to Compliance Consulting
Deanna Otts- Whitfield Success
32 A Career Twist: From Dentistry to Image Consulting
Kelly Duggan DeW Drops of Love
36 Down on the Pharm to Runway Ready
Beverly Wilburn
COFFEE, SCRUBS AND RUBBER GLOVES: REDEFINING POWER AND PURPOSE FOR WOMEN IN DENTISTRY
It’s a known fact that the dental industry has long been dominated by men, and we as women are typically the “staff”. Even in today’s workforce, when a woman walks the floor of an exhibit hall, we are addressed as an assistant or hygienist. That speaks volumes about what that dental company is doing in the training of its employees, how insensitive it can be, and eventually cost them a sale. The face of dentistry is changing, and it has been changing for quite some time. Women are now nearly the majority in graduating dental school classes, we are buying businesses, we are starting businesses, and not only dental practices, dental dental-related businesses, too! We’re wearing a lot of different hats while running practices, leading teams, raising families, and doing it all with the intention of being perfect. But in reality, we are far from perfection. As the founder of Mommy Dentists in Business (MDIB), I have had the unique privilege of having the perfect perspective of how hard it is to juggle all the things and help encourage women to be their best version of themselves, no matter how imperfect we may be. I am witnessing — and helping to shape — a movement that is changing our noble profession.
This article is a reflection on the power of community, the strength of women in leadership, and how we can rise together while navigating both motherhood and modern business.
WHY I STARTED MOMMY DENTISTS IN BUSINESS
In 2017, I created Mommy Dentists in Business as a Facebook group — initially just a small circle of colleagues who shared my dual identity as both dentist and mom. I never imagined it would grow into the largest online community of its kind, with thousands of members
By Dr. Grace Yum, Founder of Mommy Dentists in Business
across the country (and beyond), two thriving Facebook groups (one free and one subscription-based), live events, continuing education, and a powerful online portal packed with practice tools and resources.
MDIB is more than a social media network. It’s a movement. We support each other not just in clinical excellence, but in all aspects of life. We talk about practice management, employees, vacations, pacifiers, marriages, college, and more. We cheer each other on through the good times and bad times: blood, sweat, and tears. And honestly, no one can truly understand what we go through unless they are a mommy dentist. That’s the power of this group — we hold space for each other as mothers, dentists, and business owners (for those who are).
REDEFINING WOMEN LEADERSHIP
I would say that dentistry is a very linear path. The traditional path is to go to college, dental school, residency, or specialty, become an associate, and perhaps become an owner. The schools and peers promote practice ownership. But the problem arises in that dental students don’t have a clear path or visibility into what ownership or business looks like. Some might because of parents who are dentists or other family members, but if you don’t have that background, there isn’t much to go on except to learn on the job. Business or entrepreneurial mindsets are not fostered or cultivated in school; hence, we all learn to associate at one or more offices, work long hours, commute, feel pressure to produce and make money for the practice. This is grueling no matter who you are, man or woman. However, the disadvantage for women can become more apparent in the childbearing years. Dentistry can provide a path for flexibility, especially for
women, but it also can push us back because we want to stay home for a while. I remember that as an owner, I only took four weeks off, but did paperwork at home while nursing. This lifestyle isn’t as conducive for mothers, especially those who are the primary caregivers.
As women, we lead differently. We lead collaboratively. We listen more, empathize more, and care deeply about team dynamics and patient experiences. Our leadership style is not less effective — it’s just different. And that difference is powerful. We also have different expectations placed on us by our team members. It’s often a double-edged sword. I call it a dance because often we want to be liked, but we cannot be best friends with those who work for us. It can be so lonely. Often times your team members expect to be treated differently because you are a woman, or they treat you differently than they would a male dentist. But the beauty in being a mommy dentist in business is that you are now in a club that identifies with you. We all are more or less experiencing the same highs and lows.
One of the things I often say to our members is: You don’t need to lead like a man to be taken seriously. You don’t need to hide your motherhood or mute your femininity. You can wear heels and scrubs. You can run a milliondollar practice and leave at 2 p.m. to pick up your kids. You can do it your way.
THE POWER IN PRACTICE OWNERSHIP
There’s something transformative about owning your own practice. It’s not just about financial freedom — though that’s important. It’s about autonomy. Vision. Culture. When you own your space, you get to decide how dentistry is done. You can prioritize mental health for your team, offer flexible schedules for working parents, and invest in cutting-edge technology that reflects your philosophy of care.
Many women dentists shy away from ownership because they fear it will consume their lives or take time away from their families. But with the right systems and support, practice ownership can actually give you more freedom — not less. That’s one of the core messages we promote in MDIB. And it’s why our subscription group includes access to legal documents, HR templates, CE courses, and business mentorship — to demystify ownership and make it accessible.
We don’t just want more women dentists. We want more women owning dentistry.
COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION
If there’s one value that defines Mommy Dentists in
Business, it’s this: community over competition. In a world that often pits women against each other, we choose collaboration. We know that when one of us wins, it raises the bar for all of us.
Whether it’s sharing tips on how to negotiate a lease, offering guidance on starting an associate program, or helping a colleague navigate maternity leave coverage, our members show up for each other. We don’t hoard information, we share it.
This spirit of generosity is what makes our group so powerful — and so rare.
A CALL TO ACTION:
If you haven’t yet joined our community, consider this your invitation. And if you’re already part of MDIB, I challenge you to take the next step: mentor another woman. Start that practice. Speak at that conference. Show up for yourself the way you show up for your family.
Because when we rise, we rise together. When one boat rises, we all rise!
FINAL THOUGHTS: WEAR THE CROWN AND THE COAT
You can be a dentist, a CEO, a mom, a mentor, and after all, you made it through dental school. You can do anything!
Be proud of who you are and your journey! And remember: you’re not alone on this journey. You’ve got a whole hive behind you — and we’re not going anywhere.
About the author:
Dr. Grace Yum grew up in Glenview, Illinois, and now lives in sunny California. She is the founder and visionary behind Mommy Dentists in Business (MDIB), a thriving online community of over 10,400 members that empowers female dentists who are also mothers to excel both personally and professionally. With a passion for supporting women in balancing the demands of dentistry and motherhood, Dr. Yum created MDIB to provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Dr. Yum also hosts her own podcast, Mommy Dentists in Business Podcast. With 28 seasons, Dr. Yum’s podcast has been in the iTunes top 100, was ranked number 3 of 15 of the top dental podcasts by Patterson Dental’s Off the Cusp publication, and has been downloaded over 250,000 times. She has quietly become nationally recognized in her field. Dr. Yum has appeared and was featured on TODAY Show on NBC nationally, NBC Chicago as a repeat guest, Parents Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Chicago Parent Magazine.
The result can be a lifetime of poor oral health.
Every child should feel empowered to take control of their dental health.
That’s why we’re thankful for Align Technology. As Title Sponsors of our HERO Program, they are equipping oral health advocates so that kids in at-risk communities can learn about healthy dental hygiene habits.
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DeW Dish
KENDRA FLOWERS RDH, MSDH VP of Clinical Operations
www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-flowers/
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Being able to take the clinical skillset I have and integrate into operations/financial.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE?
My mother, she taught me I could do anything I wanted. Work hard and leave things better than when you found them.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS?
The happiness and development of my employees and clients. This shows me I am a leader, not a manager.
WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU OVERCOME IN YOUR CAREER?
Being “just” a hygienist. Some people are unable to get over a title, but being a dentist does not make me good at business, scaling operations, or strategy.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO TURN AROUND A BAD DAY?
Play my favorite music and spend time with my family.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
Watching 90-Day Fiancé or 600-lb Life.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEW PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE?
Observe first. Understand the culture and seek to understand the “why” behind every system and procedure.
WHAT “DEW” LEADERS DO?
Support each other and expand the dental field.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION?
Bora Bora
WHAT DOES BALANCE LOOK LIKE?
The ability to pay the bills while doing what you love and are passionate about.
Working with small business owners that are grinding it out to achieve their business goals.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE?
My MOM – a military spouse of 20 years who showed me how to be resilient, appreciate change, and recognize that I can do hard things.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS?
Success for me is spending time with my family without thinking about work. If I can truly disconnect, then I have tied loose ends in my business and have key areas of the business functioning smoothly.
WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU OVERCOME IN YOUR CAREER?
Waves of grief and high stress for 7 years straight with a child who was sick, going from provider to provider trying to find answers, and the passing of my mom, and then 2 years later, my dad. I was a shell of a person fighting to keep my head above water in my personal and professional life. The personal obstacles in my career have had the most impact on the stall of my career.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO TURN AROUND A BAD DAY?
Journal my emotions. I get it out on paper so that I can work through those emotions and put it to bed or make a plan to deal with whatever is bothering me. I work very hard to not sit in those emotions to prevent them from derailing my day.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
K-Dramas! I have been watching Korean Dramas for over 20 years. I am a subtitle reading master! I also watch them Spanish dubbed, so I can clean the house and listen. I could waste away on the couch for weeks. Saranghe!
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEW PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE?
Don’t suffer in silence. Ask questions, have confidence in communicating with staff members, and be open to learning.
WHAT “DEW” LEADERS DO?
Having true joy in others’ success.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ACTIVITY?
I enjoy exploring my home state of Colorado. So many amazing activities to experience in our beautiful state. From hiking, concerts, food festivals, and sporting events. If you’re bored in Colorado, you are CHOOSING to be bored.
THEY ARE PLAYING YOUR THEME SONG AS YOU WALK ON STAGE. NAME THAT TUNE!
I am a rocker chick! Metallica is my favorite band, so any song that has a gritty, grunge sound I am all for it!
WHAT
IS YOUR DREAM VACATION?
Military Brat with a love for Europe! You don’t have to ask me twice. I would have my bags packed and passport ready in 20 minutes.
SARA RITCHIE Founder/CEO;
Website: SaraRitchie.com @Saram.ritchie
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
The best part of my job is helping powerhouse women in dentistry step into their next level of leadership with clarity, confidence, and systems that work. Whether I’m streamlining operations, planning unforgettable events, or coaching high-level teams, I get to turn chaos into clarity and watch businesses (and people) grow because of it. That transformation lights me up every single day.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE?
My mom. Her constant support, strength, and unconditional belief in me set the foundation for the woman I’ve become. And now, my daughters Paisley and Aly inspire me every day with their encouragement, humor, and fierce hearts. They remind me why I lead, grow, and dream big.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS?
I measure success by impact and alignment. If my clients are growing, leading with clarity, and hitting their goals while protecting their peace, I’ve done my job. Personally,
success also looks like freedom: running a high-impact business I love, while traveling, spending time with my daughters, and working a schedule that feels spacious and energizing. I value results, but only when they support a life I’m excited to live.
WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU OVERCOME IN YOUR CAREER?
I’ve had to rebuild my career more than once, navigating burnout, leaving behind leadership roles that no longer aligned, and starting over to build a business from the ground up. One of the biggest obstacles was learning to trust my instincts over industry expectations. Stepping out of the traditional path and into entrepreneurship required courage, clarity, and a deep belief that I could do things my way and succeed. It wasn’t always easy, but it’s been worth every pivot.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO TURN AROUND A BAD DAY?
I shift my energy. I turn on some Taylor Swift, take a walk outside to clear my head, or hit a quick workout in my home gym to shake off the stress. Movement, music, and fresh air always bring me back to center. And if all else fails, I’ll step away from my desk, grab a Diet Coke, and remind myself: this is just a moment, not the whole story.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
Hands down, reading smutty romance novels. I unapologetically devour them and even meet up with my equally obsessed book club once a month to talk all things spicy plots, dramatic tropes, and book boyfriends. It’s my favorite escape, full of laughter, side-eyes, and zero judgment.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEW PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE?
Be yourself and stay curious. Your personality is your power, so don’t shrink it. At the same time, take the time to truly learn the systems and processes. Mastering the “how” will give you the confidence to lead with your “why.” When you combine authenticity with operational excellence, you become unstoppable.
FROM ENVY TO EMPOWERMENT: A JOURNEY TO LOVING MY PATH
By Dr.
Ihave envied, and I have been envied, but never have the lessons of those emotions felt more profound than they do today. Envy, I’ve learned, is rarely about the other person; it’s a mirror reflecting our own insecurities, our own perceptions of lack. It is a thief that steals not from others but from ourselves, robbing us of the ability to see the beauty and triumphs of our own lives. This narrative has repeated itself in my life, each time shaping me a little differently, pushing me toward a deeper understanding of what it truly means to live with gratitude for my path.
It starts small, insidiously—a comment here, an observation there. A flash of someone’s success or brilliance, their laughter echoing in the distance, and suddenly, a quiet storm brews within me. The comparisons begin. There was a woman I once envied so much that I formed an entire story about her life in my mind, a perfect and untouchable story, as though her existence was an untarnished jewel while mine felt like a rough stone. But stories like those, I now understand, are just that—stories. They are fragments of assumptions, skewed by my insecurities and my yearning to fill spaces within myself that seemed unbearably empty.
It took time, and more struggle than I’d care to admit, to unravel the trap of envy. It wasn’t a singular moment of awakening but a gradual peeling back of layers I hadn’t even realized I’d built around my sense of self. For years, I told myself I wasn’t enough—wasn’t talented enough, successful enough, beautiful enough. It was as though
I was living under the weight of my own expectations, expectations I projected onto the lives of those I envied. But the truth is, envy never tells you the full story. It is blind to the pain and struggles of others. It doesn’t show you the nights they’ve cried, the battles they’ve fought, or the fears they’ve carried. It only magnifies the things you think are missing from your own life.
There’s a profound humility in realizing that nobody’s life is perfect, no matter how it might appear. The woman whose beauty I envied carried insecurities of her own. The man whose wealth seemed to shield him from life’s hardships bore emotional scars money couldn’t heal. And the colleague whose grace and balance I so admired once mentioned, in passing, the pressure she felt to uphold the image of someone who had it all together. The stories I had built up about their lives were not only incomplete— they were entirely unfair.
Even more unfair, however, was how I had been treating myself. I had dismissed my own sacrifices, overlooked my own resilience, and minimized my achievements. I didn’t allow myself to be proud of the milestones I had worked so hard to reach. Instead, I buried my victories under the weight of comparisons—comparisons to lives that were never truly mine to understand in the first place. At the heart of envy lives the tragic irony that we fail to see the same greatness within ourselves that we so easily project onto others.
Maggie Augustyn, FAGD, FICOI, FAAIP
I once had a colleague in dental school, a woman whose life seemed to glimmer with ease and elegance. She had grown up in an affluent neighborhood, married a successful man early in her career, and established a family while we pursued one of life’s most demanding professions. Her life seemed to flow effortlessly—a picture of privilege and grace. Everything about her exuded polish, from her unflappable confidence to her impeccable appearance. She navigated life as though untouched by the constraints that seemed to bind me; she had a specialist physician partner, financial security, and a future that appeared golden and stress-free. I assumed her days were free from the weight of financial strain, from the constant push to build something from nothing. I watched her with admiration, yes, but also with a quiet sense of longing for something I believed I could never have.
Years later, when our paths crossed again, I learned something that shattered the narrative I had built around her life. Over a casual lunch, she confided in me with words that took my breath away—she envied me. She envied what I had worked for, the life I had built brick by brick. She saw strength in the way I had carved out my own path, established my practice, and created security for my family through sheer determination and effort. My struggles, which I had always viewed as evidence of my shortcomings, were for her a reflection of resilience. Through her eyes, I caught a glimpse of myself I had never allowed myself to see—that of a woman who had achieved independence, who had succeeded on her own terms, and who quietly possessed something she had yearned for. For perhaps the first time since knowing her, I realized that our lives, while vastly different, were mirrors in their own way, each reflecting strength the other hadn’t imagined.
The moment my colleague told me she envied me, the illusion of my unworthiness began to crack. It was jarring, hearing that she saw something in me I had never allowed myself to see. But it was also beautiful. Her honesty was a gift, one that forced me to confront the parts of myself I had neglected for so long. To her, I was someone who had built my own future, who had faced challenges headon, and who had turned adversity into strength. She didn’t see my flaws or my doubts; she saw the essence of who I was and the depth of my determination. It was like looking through a window into a version of myself I had been too afraid to acknowledge.
That gift—the gift of being seen—was the first step in my shift from envy to gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to shape my own story, to walk a path that was mine alone. Gratitude for the people and lessons that had shaped me, even when they came wrapped in hardship or pain.
And gratitude for the realization that life is not a series of checkboxes to measure against someone else’s. It is a deeply personal and unpredictable experience, one where everyone carries their own unique burdens and blessings.
Envy is a human experience, as natural as joy or sorrow, but it does not have to define us. It can be a catalyst for reflection, an invitation to examine the aspects of our own lives that we’ve overlooked or undervalued. By turning our focus inward, by shifting our perspective, we can begin to see ourselves fully—not just our shortcomings but our strengths, not just our fears but our courage. And when we do, we realize that envy has no power over a heart that is grounded in acceptance and self-love.
The lesson I carry with me now is this: when envy whispers its lies, I quiet it with truth. I remind myself that the stories I create about others are just that—stories. I choose to celebrate the success and happiness of others, not as a measure of my own lack, but as proof of life’s infinite possibilities. I root myself in gratitude, knowing that the life I have built—messy, imperfect, and wholly mine—is enough. And I give myself permission to see the beauty in my own reflection, to honor the resilience that has carried me through, and to trust that I am deserving of the very love and belonging I once thought only others could have.
This is not a story of overcoming envy entirely, for it still arises from time to time. But it is a story of learning to face it with compassion rather than judgment, to use it as a reminder to look inward rather than outward. It is a story of understanding that the worth we seek does not come from the lives of others but from the courage to truly see our own. And in that understanding, I have found a quiet kind of peace—one that comes not from being envied or admired but from simply being enough.
About the author:
Dr. Maggie Augustyn, FAGD, FICOI, FAAIP is a practicing general dentist, owner of Happy Tooth, author, and inspirational keynote speaker. Named among the top 250 leaders in dentistry, she captivates audiences by addressing the often-overlooked emotions we suppress, fostering connection and belonging. Dr. Augustyn also serves as the national spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry and as a faculty member for the Productive Dentist Academy.
LIVE LIKE THE PHOENIX: FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE A DENTIST’S
JOURNEY OF REINVENTION, RESILIENCE, AND RENEWAL
When my son graduated from eighth grade, his class chose a theme that spoke to me: “Fear ends where faith begins.” They also redefined fear as Face Everything And Rise. Those words deeply spoke to me and my journey perfectly—not just as a professional, but as a woman, mother, and survivor.
I never contemplated being a dentist growing up. Living in the small Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, seventeenyear-old me was one hundred percent certain I would become an attorney. But once in college, my love for the sciences blossomed. I realized I didn’t want to practice traditional medicine—I wanted to help people in a hands-on, transformative way. I graduated with degrees in Psychology and Medical Studies, but I still wasn’t sure where I was headed. I had completed a thesis on Women and AIDS in the Dominican Republic, but chose not to publish it, opting instead to pause and reflect. I explored nursing, chiropractic care, and osteopathy.
Then one day, everything changed. I was tutoring a foreign-trained dentist who was preparing for the National Dental Boards—and something clicked. Dentistry combined everything I loved: art, science, human connection, and purpose, improving people’s lives in a tangible way. I knew I had found my calling. I applied to one school: New York University College of Dentistry. It was there that I built a solid foundation and created lifelong friendships with two women that to this day I now consider sisters. After graduation, I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, drawn by its beauty and its sunny skies. Arizona quickly became my home. There I launched my career, met my husband, and began raising our children. Professionally, I grew rapidly,
By Johanna J. Tesoniero, DDS, MAGDLLSR, MBA
earning my Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry, teaching at Spear Education as Visiting Faculty, and becoming a partner in a successful group practice.
Then everything changed, and the nightmare began. Two weeks after the birth of my second child, in an instant, three fingers on my right hand went numb. A week later, the same thing happened to my left hand. I was terrified. I still had significant dental school debt, a mortgage, and loved ones who depended on me financially.
Simple tasks became nearly impossible—writing, doing my hair, even holding a cup were extremely difficult. Broken dishes and chipped mugs piled up, constant reminders of what I was losing. I had poured years into continuing education, weekend trainings, webinars—and now, I couldn’t trust my own two hands, my body was betraying me. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and nothing improved. I became hopeless and sank into a deep depression. I isolated myself, grieving the loss of my identity as a healer. After exhausting all conservative treatments, I underwent surgeries on both hands, weeks apart. Slowly, the sensation returned. My hands were weak, but alive. Eventually, I made it back to the chair—grateful, present, and deeply aware of what a gift it is to serve.
Six years later, the nightmare returned. I was driving home from a work trip when I was rear-ended at high speed while stopped on the highway. There was no time to react and nowhere to go as I saw the headlights in my rearview mirror rapidly approaching my car—my life changed in an instant, only allowing me to take a breath and brace for impact. The airbags didn’t deploy, but the force was so powerful that it crushed the floor beneath the back seat.
I was in shock, but alive. The police came, took a report, and I went home in a daze. I had already planned time off, so I told myself I’d be fine, but I wasn’t. Initially, my neck and body felt sore, then a few days later, my left arm went completely numb, limp at my side like a dead branch, then, without warning, it would slowly come back to life. The episodes were random—sometimes a few fingers switching sides, or sometimes my entire left arm. My hands would turn pale and icy. I couldn’t trust my body. I feared I might drop an instrument and hurt a patient. Once again, I had to step away from clinical practice.
The next three years became a blur of doctors’ appointments and dead ends. Some said it was psychological, while others suggested it was Lyme disease, despite no evidence. I tracked every episode, took photos, journaled symptoms—but tests kept coming back normal. Then I met a physical therapist specializing in hand therapy. He suspected Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). I brought this to my rheumatologist, who ran a new set of functional tests. Finally, we saw it: when I raised my arms, blood flow and nerve signals plummeted. We had a diagnosis, confirmed through both functional nerve testing and ultrasound. Knowing what I was facing changed everything. I finally had direction, clarity, and power.
That period—though painful—was transformative. I pursued an MBA, earned my Mastership through the Academy of General Dentistry, and redefined what it meant to care. I may not have always been able to use my hands, but I still had my voice, my mind, and my heart. I began mentoring colleagues, coaching dental teams, and guiding organizations. I realized I could still honor my mission: to elevate patient care, not just through procedures and techniques, but through leadership, innovation, and support. Since then, I’ve had the honor of serving in a range of leadership roles. I’ve been a clinician, a Visiting Faculty member at Spear Education, a Chief Clinical Officer at a boutique DSO, a Chief Operating Officer, and later the Associate Dean and Chief Dental
Officer of an innovative dental school. Today, I serve as the Chief Dental Officer for Dental Care Alliance’s North Division, overseeing nearly 200 practices. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had these roles, the people I have met along the way, the friends I have made, but am most thankful to my loving husband and children, as they have and continue to support me through this journey.
Every role has been different, but the purpose remains the same: to uplift others, to improve the profession, and to serve those who need our care; to remind patients and providers alike that healing can come in many forms—and sometimes, it starts with ourselves. The truth is, no one’s path is linear. We all face detours—unexpected diagnoses, professional pivots, or personal breakdowns—but we are not defined by those moments. What defines us is how we Rise.
To anyone navigating uncertainty—whether in dentistry, business, or life—please know that strength isn’t about powering through; it’s about having the courage to pause, reflect, ask for help when needed, and rebuild. Fear may show up, but so can faith. It is there, in that space amongst the ashes, where fear ends and faith begins, that a new version of you is born. Like the Phoenix, we Rise—not in spite of the fire, but because of it. So yes, face everything. And rise.
About the author:
Johanna J. Tesoniero, affectionately known as Dr. Tes, is a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry and holds a Fellowship and Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry. With over 20 years of experience, she has led dental teams across the country in roles ranging from clinician to Chief Dental Officer. Currently, she serves as CDO for Dental Care Alliance’s North Division, where she partners with nearly 200 practices. Dr. Tes is deeply passionate about leadership, mentorship, and driving meaningful change in the dental profession.
THE JOURNEY FROM SELF-DOUBT TO SELF-LOVE
By Kathryn Gilliam, BA, RDH, MAAOSH, HIAOMT
We’ve all experienced self-doubt. We’ve felt uncertain about ourselves, our capabilities, and our potential. If we make a mistake or a misstep, we risk losing confidence. We may stop trusting ourselves and even begin to doubt our place in the world. According to leadership developer, speaker, and author, Gregg Vanourek, at the root of self-doubt is fear – fear of failure or fear of judgment. Who amongst us has never felt fearful? This fear and doubt can grow to the point that one stops seeing oneself through loving eyes, and instead, we become highly self-critical.
We are in the midst of a global crisis of self-love, according to a 2020 survey that asked 22,000 people in 21 countries to rate their self-esteem, resilience, confidence, and need for external validation. They found that 60% of people wished they respected themselves more; over half admitted to pretending to be happy in order to please others, and nearly 50% felt self-doubt more than self-love.
Self-doubt and a deficit of self-esteem are problems that deeply affect the lives and health of millions of people, particularly women. When we are riddled with self-doubt, we don’t advocate for ourselves, we don’t draw attention to ourselves, we don’t negotiate strongly for a pay raise or ask tough questions. We don’t fight back against injustices or set boundaries. We hold ourselves back from accomplishing all that we could, telling ourselves we’re not worthy. Self-doubt can show up as imposter syndrome, and it can exact an exorbitant price in our lives. It affects our happiness, our relationships, our work performance, and more. Self-doubt can paralyze us.
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
- William Shakespeare, ‘Measure for Measure’
Self-doubt can originate in childhood. It can result from critical parents who were hard to please, disapproving, or distant. It can come from a sense of having to prove oneself and earn love through compliance or achievements. Self-doubt can develop as one is compared with siblings, other family members, or classmates. It can even be the result of an overprotective parent who leaves a child feeling unable to manage on their own. Self-doubt can happen if we experience major failures or setbacks, or from abuse or trauma. Teachers, coaches, mentors, or friends can all inadvertently contribute to self-doubt by making ill-considered comments that the child or adult takes to heart. When we internalize those negative messages, it’s called cognitive fusing, and we begin to believe these messages about us are true. This can keep us from achieving our full potential in our personal, academic, and professional lives.
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
- Suzy Kassem, poet
When I was a child, I experienced many inadvertent negative messages that my impressionable brain quickly internalized. I heard my mother explain to her friends, teachers, and seemingly everyone I met that I was shy. It took me over 40 years to realize that I’m not shy. I’m introverted and a deep thinker, but I love people, and I love to talk and laugh with people – often hundreds of people at a time from a stage under a spotlight.
Another message I received was that I wasn’t good enough. No one actually said those words aloud, but it was always something I sensed under the surface. My older sister had a photographic memory, like my father, but rather than understanding that special gift, I simply
knew that she didn’t have to try hard in school to make excellent grades, but I did. I was compared often, but in a back-handed way. I heard messages that sounded to me like, “Kathy is average, and she’s doing the best she can, so we won’t push her to do better.”
Finally, in high school, I realized I was quite capable of being an exceptional student, and I excelled. In college, my being named to the Dean’s list for eight semesters in a row was met with surprise by my family. Who knew little Kathy had it in her? Certainly not Kathy because she had been told all her life that she was the sweet one, not the smart one. In dental hygiene school, I scored the highest grade on the National Board Exam that anyone from the University of Texas ever had. Finally, my family responded as if that were the expectation for me. They, too, had to unlearn that I was “average” and accept the reality that I was bright.
My family and teachers thought I was sweet because I was quiet. This personality trait was rewarded with praise and affection. That’s when my Pleaser was born. It became my mission to make other people happy, often at my own expense. I truly love people, and I love to be kind and include everyone so no one feels left out. But when it comes to always putting others first, especially in business or personal happiness, that’s not always a healthy choice. It can cause one to become a doormat, allowing others to take advantage of you. That can be a very destructive trait.
Growing up in a family where one felt the need to earn love and acceptance, it’s common to become a people pleaser. Studying the work of Shirzad Chamine, an executive and author of the book and coaching program, Positive Intelligence, I learned that being a Pleaser is a “saboteur” or an “automatic and habitual mind pattern that harms our ability to function effectively.”
These automatic and habitual mind patterns are the negative self-talk that occurs so often without our awareness. According to Chamine, we all experience the “universal saboteur,” the Judge. Those of us who suffer self-doubt and a lack of self-love also experience other saboteurs whom I often recognize as inner bullies. These bullies can talk us out of passing an exam or applying for a promotion. They can keep us from accepting a date or even answering a message.
I’ve spent my life only able to see myself through the eyes of my bullies. When we internalize an identity that isn’t who we really are, it can cause a lot of internal stress. Now we know that this sort of stress can lead to both mental and physical illness,es such as anxiety, depression, digestive
disorders, weight gain, and hormone imbalance. Low selflove can lead to a deep melancholia that can overwhelm you. In contrast, high self-esteem is correlated with better mental and physical health. It makes sense to learn to love oneself back to health.
Reading Chamine’s book and taking his online course with a small cohort of trusted friends enabled me to discover my main saboteurs and begin to overcome them.
“ It’s not who you are that holds you back – it’s who you think you are not.”
- Eric Thomas (aka ET, the Hip Hop Preacher)
As you read the following descriptions of saboteurs, note which ones challenge you. Do you have an inner bully who exaggerates your failures and who diminishes your successes?
1. The Judge: finds fault with self, others, or circumstances. My Judge is very harsh with me, but not with others. I believe it’s because I have a high level of empathy for other people, just not for myself. I envision my Judge as Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. She has always felt very tall, looming over me, but as I continue my personal work, she’s shrinking in her old age.
2. The Avoider: avoids difficult situations and responsibilities. Sometimes the Avoider avoids making difficult choices, like leaving an unhappy marriage or an unfulfilling job. The character Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is this type of person. Holly avoids conflict by keeping her emotions at bay and running away from deep, meaningful connections. She keeps herself detached from situations that may lead to confrontation or vulnerability. She prefers to escape into a fantasy world. I recognize a lot of avoider tendencies in myself.
3. The Controller: tries to control situations and people, leading to inflexibility. A well-known controller type is the character of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. This person tries to manipulate those around her. I had a very dear friend who wanted to control how I handled my relationship with my sons, and when I refused, he left my life. Rather than choosing to be flexible and accept that a parent must do what is in her heart, he was inflexible and true to his Controller type. It really hurt that my friend’s
saboteur was so strong that he couldn’t love me if he couldn’t control me. This is a great example of how destructive the saboteurs can be.
4. The Hyper Achiever: constantly seeks external validation and achievements, leading to burnout and possibly neglecting other areas of life. My father was a Hyper Achiever, speaking nine languages, earning an MD and a DMD concurrently, nominated for the rank of General in the Air Force, and receiving countless accolades throughout his academic and professional career. I became a Hyper Achiever once I realized that I had the potential to be. I also believe that it comes from growing up feeling the need to prove myself worthy and having to earn the love and attention I craved. The character Paris Geller in The Gilmore Girls is a Hyper Achiever. She has absentee parents, and she seems to feel unworthy and unlovable unless she’s at the top of her class, unless she gets into Harvard, unless she wins all the accolades. I would be willing to bet that among Dental Entrepreneur Women, there are more than a few Hyper Achievers.
5. The Hyper Rational: focuses excessively on logic and analysis, often neglecting emotions and intuition. There may be a tendency not to get too close to people. The Hyper Rational may not be the warmest people. The character Mr. Spock from Star Trek is a good representation of this type of person. They are all logic all the time. I don’t have even the least little bit of this saboteur!
6. The Hyper Vigilant: is constantly on alert for potential threats and dangers, which leads to anxiety and overthinking. This was also one of my father’s saboteurs. He was hyper vigilant because of his experience as a 13-year-old boy fleeing Eastern Europe as World War II was beginning. He and his family brought just a few special items with them as they traveled across Europe and the Atlantic. By the time they reached Ellis Island, they had only the clothes they wore, a couple of family photos, and the Shabbat candlesticks my grandmother treasured. Everything else was stolen along the way. My father never got over his night terrors. He was always inordinately focused on double and triple-checking that the doors and windows of the house were locked and that we were safe. The character of Walter White in Breaking Bad is hyper vigilant – always on high alert and planning for the worst-case scenario. Hypervigilance
can lead to high anxiety, high stress, digestive problems, headaches, and exhaustion.
7. The Pleaser: prioritizes the needs of others over their own, often leading to resentment and self-neglect. It can also lead to martyr syndrome by using one’s suffering to gain attention. The Pleaser is my number one saboteur. As a child, I wanted everyone to be happy, and I wanted to be loved. I developed the belief that I had to make sure everyone was happy to be loved. The Pleaser will not engage or will avoid conflicts for fear that their opinions might cost them love. Being a Pleaser, I allowed myself to be treated poorly and to be taken advantage of. I bit my tongue if I disagreed with others and subjugated my own feelings and opinions for those of others. This is a very weak position in which to live, and there is no self-love in being a Pleaser. The movie character who represents a Pleaser to me is Cinderella. She does whatever she can to make her evil stepmother and stepsisters happy, regardless of how badly they treat her. Cinderella is subservient, and the story seems to teach that if you subjugate yourself and please others, eventually you will win your Prince Charming and live in a castle happily ever after. My own experience is proof that being a Pleaser and expecting to have a fairy tale life is completely unrealistic and unhealthy.
8. The Restless: finds it difficult to stay focused, is never satisfied, and is always seeking the next exciting thing. In the movie Thelma and Louise, Thelma yearns to break free of the constraints of her life, so she goes off on a big, ill-fated adventure. Inner restlessness and dissatisfaction with life drive the need for more. For the Restless, the goal post may continue to move further and further away, so the goal is always out of reach and satisfaction is never attained.
9. The Stickler: is focused on perfection and details, which can lead to delays and difficulty completing tasks. For the Stickler, good enough is never good enough. I do suffer from the perfectionism of a Stickler. An example of the Stickler is the character of Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada. She demands perfection in every detail. Dwight Schrute from The Office is another character who represents a different type of Stickler – the rule follower. This person cannot tolerate any deviation from the rules and is very black and white. I’m absolutely not this
type of Stickler – I’m all about shades of grey and I’d rather ask forgiveness than ask permission!
10. The Victim: feels helpless and powerless, often blaming external factors for their problems. The Wendy Torrance character in The Shining is a good example of a Victim. She’s trapped in the Overlook Hotel with her husband, who is falling into insanity, and it’s not until her child is in danger that she snaps out of the victim mentality and fights back. Another example of the Victim is Julia Roberts’ character Anna Scott in Notting Hill. She is a victim of her fame, and she complains that she can’t lead a normal life because of the constant attention of her fans. It’s not until she takes charge of her own life that she gets her dream man and her dream life.
“What a liberation to realize that the ‘voice in my head’ is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.”
-Eckhart Tolle
Did you glimpse any of your own internal saboteurs in those examples? Do you have a harsh judge snarling in your ear when you make a mistake? Are the voices you hear critical and demeaning?
“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.”
– Honore de Balzac
When you allow the saboteurs, or inner bullies, to control you, you may self-sabotage by not taking care of yourself, not taking advantage of opportunities, and not shining your own light. So, how can you silence the voices in your head that don’t serve your highest good? Over the years of research and personal work to overcome my own saboteurs, I’ve learned a few strategies. I want to clarify that I’m not “cured” – this is a process. I still hear the voices. What I’ve learned are some techniques to hear the voices and then turn down the volume, and to hear the voices and do it anyway. Just as dentistry is a practice, self-love is also a practice. Here are a few tips to get you started on your path to reduce the impact of your inner bullies:
1. Recognize your saboteurs. You can go online and take a free assessment from Positive Intelligence. (positiveintelligence.com)
2. Practice accepting yourself as you are. Embrace your unique qualities and even those things that you would label as imperfections.
3. Practice not comparing yourself to others. In this age of social media, this is extremely challenging. Remind yourself that the people you’re admiring are sharing only the curated, edited, airbrushed parts of themselves and their lives that they want to share. Practice selfcompassion and nurture a positive self-image.
4. Practice not caring what other people think of you. When you put too much value in other people’s opinion of you, it will only serve to hurt you. What really matters is what you think of yourself.
5. Practice setting boundaries. Set and honor boundaries that protect your mental and emotional well-being. By prioritizing boundaries and self-care, we can establish healthy limits for ourselves. We can say “no, that doesn’t work for me” without apologizing or feeling guilty. When we set boundaries, we can allocate our time to those projects and activities that bring us joy, promote balance, reduce stress, and enhance our emotional well-being. Setting boundaries is an act of self-love, self-worth, and self-respect. It is essential for cultivating healthy relationships that uplift and support our well-being. When you love yourself, you have a standard for how others will treat you that is non-negotiable.
6. Practice putting yourself first. Many of us have spent our lives putting ourselves last – behind our spouses, our children, our parents, our siblings, our extended families, our friends, our bosses, our patients, our co-workers, and our pets. There is so much truth in taking care of yourself first, so you have the energy and resources to take care of those you love.
7. Practice speaking your truth. Holding your tongue may feel safe because it will prevent you from possibly upsetting others, but it will cause emotional and sometimes physical harm to you. Don’t wait for permission to take a seat at the table and to join the conversation. Know that your voice and your opinions are just as important as anyone else’s. Speaking your truth can gain the respect and admiration of your peers. It can bring you a sense of satisfaction and self-esteem.
8. Practice feeling your true feelings. Many of us grew up hearing we were “too sensitive,” so we repressed our feelings and put on a happy face. Some of us are so repressed that we don’t even know what our feelings are. Go inside and try to get in touch with your feelings. It can be scary to feel the actual pain, fear, and anger that have been tucked away in the deepest recesses of your psyche. You may need a professional to lead you through this process. Once you do, it can be freeing to discover your true feelings and realize that some of the feelings you have been experiencing are not even your own.
9. Practice being kind to yourself. Your own selftalk must counteract the saboteur voices that have been in your ears too long. Try to develop a new habit to quiet those voices. Start with recognizing the voice and taking control of it. I say, “Oh, hello Nurse Ratched. I know what you’re trying to do, but I don’t need you to interfere anymore.” Or “Hello Pleaser, I know you thought you were protecting me when I was little, but I’m strong and I don’t need you anymore.” Recognize and celebrate the baby steps you’re taking in the right direction. Give yourself grace. Forgive yourself for mistakes and for being imperfect. Remind yourself that you have been wonderfully made in God’s image.
“Our life is what our thoughts make it.”
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Mark your calendars:
RDH Under One Roof Dallas, TX July 18-20
National Dental Association Convention Kansas City, MO July 10-13
Dykema Denver, CO August 1
In the end, self-trust and self-love are the building blocks for a fulfilling life. When we take action in the face of our doubts, we minimize their ability to control us, to stifle us, and to keep us small. When we take action, such as shushing the inner bullies in our ears, we create a sense of control over our lives. The reality is that we have always had resilience, capability, strength, beauty, and intelligence within us. We just lost sight of our true selves along the way. It’s time to recognize our strengths, accept our imperfections, and show ourselves the love we deserve.
“You always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself. You’ve had it all along.”
- Glinda the
Good
Witch
to Dorothy
in "The Wizard of Oz"
About the author:
Kathryn Gilliam BRDH, BA, MAAOSH, HIAOMT, is the Founder and CEO of PerioLinks, LLC and a Lead Clinical Coach with Inspired Hygiene. Kathryn’s belief in the integral role of the dental hygienist in life-saving health care drives her passion for elevating the profession through encouragement, education, and empowerment. Kathryn also serves on the advisory board of the Oral Cancer Foundation and volunteers for community cancer screenings and the Alzheimer’s walk for Awareness. Kathryn also earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism, then graduated at the top of her dental hygiene class from the University of Texas Health Science Center. She combines her passion for patient care with her love of writing and has published numerous articles and continuing education courses in respected dental journals such as RDH Magazine, The Journal of the Academy of General Dentists, AGD Impact, Dentistry Today, The Profitable Dentist and Dental Entrepreneur Woman.
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BECOMING EMBODIEDFROM EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS TO INTUITION, CONFIDENCE, AND POWER: HOW FEMININE EMBODIMENT LED ME BACK TO MYSELF
Before I begin, let me paint a picture of how I, a scientifically minded, high-achieving orthodontist, became a certified feminine embodiment coach. It was 2022. I’d sold my orthodontic practice the year before, after eight years of cycling through highs and lows that included stress, boredom, and confusing thoughts like, “I can’t keep doing this until retirement.” Before selling, I told my husband I believed there was a calmer version of me, one that wasn’t always anxious. He wasn’t so sure, warning, “Wherever you go, there you are.” My accountant agreed, urging me to hold on until retirement. I felt trapped, I’d built a beautiful office, but at times it felt like a prison.
THE INNER VOICE BREAKS THROUGH
However, two pivotal moments helped me listen to myself. First, during a massage, as my nervous system melted into total relaxation, I heard a loud message from within: “Get out.” During that session, I envisioned a new way of practicing dentistry. It was calm, slow, sustainable, and focused on the whole person. While I tabled that information, I found it curious how clear the voice inside of me was when I got quiet. Was it always there, just waiting to be heard? Maybe I wasn’t as confused about what I wanted to do as I thought I was. Maybe, just maybe, I knew exactly what I wanted, I just wasn’t owning it. I wasn’t standing up for her
Next, about a year later, I had a minor health scare. The doctor recommended I have a mole removed on my back,
By Dr. Camden Brown, Orthodontist and Feminine Embodiment Coach
and the biopsy came back with an unexpected result. As I waited for my appointment to find out the next steps, I journaled to myself: “Regardless of the outcome, I want to start living as if I have five years to live.” This began my path toward trusting myself, my inner voice, over the advice of others. COVID-19 hit, and I got a glimpse of what
it was like to receive a break from my practice, and I knew in my bones that this was what my heart yearned for. I sold my practice, we moved to be closer to family, and by the fall of 2021, we were in a new state, a new home, and settling into a new life.
A FLOWER FARM, COACHING SCHOOL, AND THE RESTLESS BUZZ
My first stop before restarting orthodontics was a gig on a flower farm. I left my phone behind, no longer on call for patient emergencies, and picked daffodils in the morning sunlight. It was grounding, physical, and deeply nourishing. In addition, I began a coaching certification from Mindvalley, with a goal of understanding myself just as much as helping others. It was utterly beautiful and a complete 180 from my previous life. Yet, despite the nature, rest, and time off, I continued to feel restlessness. I couldn’t fully relax or feel present, and I wanted to be able to hold that resonant, grounded state for coaching clients, and for myself and my kids.
This may feel like a good place to pause and just notice, can you relate to this feeling of not being able to relax? A constant buzz, a sense of overstimulation, or a feeling like you can’t shut off your brain? If so, you are not alone.
DISCOVERING FEMININE EMBODIMENT
Returning to the story: it was 2022. I’d worked on the flower farm, finished my Mindvalley coaching certification, and again I heard this voice inside of me, urging me that there was another version of me. No, I didn’t actually hear a voice (don’t worry!), but I had a feeling. An intuition. It reminded me of a time in my childhood when I felt present, connected, and didn’t have anxiety.
Enter: feminine embodiment. I was searching online, using the best terms I could think of, surely vague, awkward, and rudimentary things like “I don’t feel like I am in my body.” And then I found it. I watched curiously as the instructor described being a hospital pharmacist and eventually discovering the art of embodied movement. I witnessed her magic, being in her body, flowing, connected, intuitive, and I craved it. I wanted to feel this in myself. I knew this version of me in high school, the one who wrote poetry and was wild and free, and along the way, it seemed I had swung too far in the other direction. I was all action and productivity, unable to access my creativity, softness, and power. I jumped in without understanding what it was… simply following a pull, a curiosity. And within a week, I had signed up for a nine-month program.
WHAT IS FEMININE EMBODIMENT?
Feminine embodiment is both a personal practice and a coaching method. Like a moving meditation, the personal practice I use and teach involves listening to music, closing your eyes, and moving your body with your internal sensations, thoughts, and emotions. In coaching, it involves moments of regular talking paired with periods of closing your eyes and being guided into greater personal depth. This methodology points out that our society prioritizes: 1) the mind over the body, and 2) doing over depth. Feminine embodiment flips the switch on this narrative. It reminds us that there is infinite wisdom in our bodies, from the neck down, and that taking a moment to listen and explore can help guide us into more clear, heart-led, aligned action. It proposes a depth-first (to explore what our bodies want), action-second approach to life.
What do I mean by “the internal sensations of your body”? Say a life event makes you feel nervous. Your brain tells you, “I’m nervous,” and you take action. However, what does nervousness feel like? If you close your eyes and block out sensory overload, you may be able to feel it. It may feel like tightness in your chest or butterflies in your stomach. It’s different for everyone, but there is an internal feeling you can become aware of. This is embodiment. It’s being in touch with, and listening to, your body.
FROM CORPORATE BURNOUT TO BOUNDARIED CLARITY
At this point, you may be thinking I sound like a crazy person. Yes, possibly, and I do question whether I should write this article. However, this is the most authentic piece I can write. It is what has changed everything for me. Let me tell you how this has influenced my professional career.
Fast forward a couple of years. I was working for an orthodontic corporation. They were working me like a dog, over 100 patients some days, awkward meetings with corporate heads, and I felt like a cog in a wheel. First, I used my new tools to release stress after work, letting go of tension in my body from doing dentistry and completing the stress cycle from long workdays. (Completing the stress cycle is a concept from trauma research that describes how our bodies physically process and release stress.) This was priceless, no more neck pain or stiffness in my back. In addition, I was able to lean into my boundaries, learning what they were and then holding space for them. I was able to speak up for myself and make decisions that were clear and courageous. Feminine embodiment also helped me feel into new opportunities, Is this a full-body yes or no? What does my body tell me about this job? Is there a part of me that needs to be comforted in order to move forward?
(Side note: I’ve landed in a delightful orthodontic job, one that feels aligned, positive, and doesn’t feel abusive to my body.)
A PRACTICE, NOT A DESTINATION
Do you feel like you’ve lost touch with yourself? Are you so caught up in production and action that you struggle to rest, relax, or be present with your loved ones, or even with yourself? Do you struggle to find your creativity, or find that version of yourself you once were? Are you filled with stress, anxiety, or overwhelm, but know, deep down, that there is so much more to you? Feminine embodiment is a practice, not a destination. A spectrum, not a binary. It is available in each moment, to reset, listen, and explore what our heart, body, and spirit want. It helps us listen to the messages of our soul. And it’s always available.
Every moment where you put yourself first, where you listen to her, that voice inside you, is a step in the right direction.
The final message I’d like to leave you with is this: Trust yourself. Trust your inner voice. Trust that you are whomever you think you are, even if the world tells you otherwise. Trust in her
About the author: Dr. Camden Brown is an orthodontist and a feminine embodiment coach. She works with high-achievers who are facing life and work transitions and challenges, including burnout and career changes. She lives in Bluffton, SC, with her family. You can connect with her at: https://drcamdenbrown.com/ or on Instagram.
You' re not just a dental entrepreneur You' re a me a caregiver, a multitasking of nature Curve Mobile w built for you with anywhe access that lets you stay in control without staying ch to your desk Manage your schedule, m KPIs, approve time off, an keep tabs on your practice whether you ' re chairside, a home, or on the go
RESILIENCE AND REINVENTION: MY JOURNEY FROM THE MARINE CORPS TO COMPLIANCE CONSULTING
This isn’t a sad story. It’s a story of grit, transformation, and the quiet power of starting over, again and again. My journey has never followed a straight line. It’s been shaped by grief, shadowed by depression and PTSD, complicated by burnout, and interrupted by autoimmune disease. I’ve worn many uniforms, both literal and figurative, from Marine cammies to scrubs to the evolving identity of a consultant searching for impact.
But through every pivot, one truth has remained: I refuse to give up. I’ve learned to adapt when life unraveled, to rebuild when I was broken, and to keep moving forward even when the next step felt unclear. This is the story of how I navigated the sharp turns, the long pauses, and the painful reinventions—and how I ultimately found purpose, clarity, and strength in the most unexpected places.
A TEENAGE LOSS AND AN ADULT DECISION
At just 15 years old, my world was upended when my father became gravely ill and passed away. As the youngest in the family and the only one still at home, I was left to face my grief largely alone. It was a time of deep emotional turmoil that forced me to grow up quickly.
With no college savings or plan in place, I realized early on that I would have to forge my own way. At 17, I made a decision that would define the next chapter of my life: I joined the United States Marine Corps. While my peers were planning college visits and senior trips, I was preparing for boot camp. It was the first life-changing decision I made entirely on my own—and it would shape who I became.
By Deanna Otts- Whitfield, MSHQS, RDH, BSDH, CDIPC
WAR, TRANSFORMATION, AND THE SEEDS OF RESILIENCE
Fifteen months after I enlisted, the world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Like every Marine, I felt an immediate shift in purpose. The phrase “adapt and overcome” wasn’t just a motto; it became a way of life. In 2003, I deployed to the Middle East, returning in 2004, fundamentally changed.
Combat doesn’t leave you unmarked. The physical and mental demands of war embedded a grit in me that I would rely on for years to come. And while many Marines struggle to adjust to civilian life—some even re-enlisting for the structure they miss—I was determined to build a future beyond the uniform.
I enrolled at Texas Woman’s University and was accepted into their competitive four-year dental hygiene program.
NON-TRADITIONAL PATHS AND INTERNAL BATTLES
As a non-traditional student, I often felt out of sync. I was older, living off-campus, and managing adult responsibilities my peers weren’t. While others attended campus events or planned weddings, I was juggling coursework and financial strain—often consumed by quiet doubts about whether I belonged.
Depression crept in, but I kept moving forward. I earned my degree and stepped into clinical dental hygiene, ready to serve and make a difference.
The first two years of my dental hygiene career were filled with community service and involvement in professional organizations. But I felt a growing urge to do more. That calling led me to public health, where I accepted a role at a state-supported living center for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities in a small Texas town, famous for Blue Bell ice cream.
Though I wasn’t providing traditional hygiene care, the work was profoundly meaningful. I became an advocate, a team collaborator, and a caregiver for an underserved population. But when the clinic director left, Texas law barred me from practicing without a supervising dentist. I had little choice but to return to private practice.
BURNOUT, ILLNESS, AND A BREAKING POINT
I re-entered clinical hygiene in a busy office just north of Houston. On paper, the job was ideal: high pay, a threeand-a-half-day workweek, and long weekends. But the fast pace and mounting stress wore me down.
Over time, my physical health began to collapse. I was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal autoimmune disease and experienced chronic fatigue, blood loss, and debilitating symptoms. Emotionally, I was unraveling. In 2019, I reached a breaking point, grappling with depression and even suicidal thoughts.
It was a moment of reckoning. I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. I needed to radically change my trajectory, so I applied to graduate school, hoping that education would pull me out of the darkness and help me build a new life.
REDISCOVERING PURPOSE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL
Grad school became a lifeline. It gave me something to work toward, a new vision for my future. I began to imagine a career outside the operatory—one that allowed me to use my experience in innovative, meaningful ways.
After earning my degree, my husband and I relocated to Northwest Texas. But launching a new career during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t easy. Dental offices were still recovering, and I was unsure where my new credentials would take me. Still grappling with the weight of stress, it was around this time that I was formally diagnosed with PTSD stemming from my time in the military.
Then, in 2022, I came across an ad for RDH Evolution in RDH Magazine—a conference designed for hygienists exploring alternative paths. I booked a flight to Orlando,
unsure of what to expect. What I found changed everything.
I met speakers, writers, entrepreneurs, and consultants— dental professionals who had taken bold steps outside the box and thrived. I was inspired. I was ready. But I still wondered: where do I fit in?
FINDING MY VOICE IN COMPLIANCE
Shortly after returning from RDH Evolution, I came across an opening at a compliance firm in Texas. Something in me said, Take the leap. I accepted the position, packed up again, and moved with my husband—hopeful, but uncertain of what was ahead.
What I found was a whole new world of dentistry that lit a fire in me. Infection control, OSHA regulations,
CDC guidelines, and risk mitigation–it all came alive. I discovered a unique joy in breaking down complex regulatory requirements and turning them into real-world applications that made dental teams feel safer, smarter, and more empowered. For the first time in a long time, I felt energized by my work.
But as much as I loved the what, I struggled with the how. Despite my knowledge and drive, I was kept behind the scenes, pushed into administrative support roles instead
of being nurtured as a consultant. I wanted to be in the field, educating and elevating dental teams. I wanted to make a difference beyond a desk. But those doors remained closed.
At first, I stayed—telling myself I needed more experience, more credentials, more time. I feared stepping away from the safety net, especially with the shadow of clinical burnout still looming. I was afraid that if I left, I’d end up back in an operatory that no longer felt like home.
Still, the frustration grew. I knew I had a voice, and more importantly, I knew it deserved to be heard. I had lived through war, illness, grief, and reinvention, surely I could navigate this too.
The tipping point came when I was reprimanded for something completely unfounded—a decision that made it clear: this was no longer a space where I could grow. So, I walked away.
It was terrifying. But it was also the most liberating thing I’d done in years.
And as it turns out, it was exactly what I needed to truly find my voice.
MENTORSHIP, MOMENTUM, AND A NEW CHAPTER
Sometimes, the right opportunity arrives in the most unexpected place—like a conference restroom.
There I was, gathering myself between sessions, when I bumped into a well-respected leader in the compliance space. I knew who she was. What I didn’t expect was that she knew who I was. We exchanged a few words—honest, unfiltered. I told her I had recently left my position, that I was looking for something different, something more. I wasn’t just searching for a job. I was searching for a mentor, for someone who could see my potential and help me step into it.
It didn’t take long. Shortly after that encounter, she offered me a role on her team. But it was more than just a position—it was a chance to finally step fully into the work I was meant to do.
With her guidance and trust, I was able to develop as a consultant, a speaker, and an educator. She didn’t just give me a seat at the table—she gave me a voice at it. Within months, I was creating custom compliance manuals, presenting at professional events, and publishing educational content for the industry. The work lit me up. It challenged me, validated me, and healed me
in ways I didn’t know I needed.
For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving—I was thriving. I found myself surrounded by people who didn’t just understand my journey, but respected it. They saw my military discipline, my clinical insight, my hard-won resilience—and they celebrated it. I wasn’t asked to shrink. I was encouraged to shine.
In less than a year, I’ve grown more than I ever thought possible. I’ve become a published writer, a confident speaker, and a contributing voice in the compliance and dental consulting world. Most importantly, I’ve reconnected with myself. My health—both physical and mental, has improved dramatically. And I’ve found a home in a community that truly gets it, including the incredible women of DeW.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE POWER OF REINVENTION
If my story has taught me anything, it’s this: resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle. It’s about continuing anyway. We all carry invisible battles. But there’s power in persistence, in daring to rewrite your story, and in believing that your best chapter might still be ahead.
So if you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or overlooked, I want you to know this: your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It may twist and turn. It may stop and restart. But every chapter is shaping who you are meant to become.
Today, I am not just a Marine, a hygienist, or a compliance consultant. I’m a warrior. A storyteller. A woman who refused to give up.
Stay curious. Stay open. And above all—stay resilient.
About the author:
Deanna Otts-Whitfield is a dental professional with 16+ years of experience in hygiene, infection prevention, and patient care. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she holds a bachelor’s in dental hygiene, an executive master’s in healthcare quality and safety, and a certification in dental infection prevention. Deanna served as a board member of the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Marine Corps League. She currently works as a compliance consultant for Copper Penny Consulting, advocating for evidence-based practices and advancing oral health education.
A CAREER TWIST: FROM DENTISTRY TO IMAGE CONSULTING
By Kelly Duggan
Perhaps like you, I chose my career path in healthcare at a young age. By junior high, I’d decided that I would grow up to be a nurse. After all, that’s what most young girls of my generation were led to believe they should be: a nurse or a teacher.
THE CAREER JOURNEY
A twist of fate intervened in that plan. In my high school 9th-grade English class, we had an assignment to write a paper about a career. It coincided with a six-month dental check-up and prophy. My general dentist, Dr. Poole, was a church family friend, and I’d babysat for his family. As a result of that visit, dentistry became my focus. After getting offered a job to clean his office, I developed the idea that it was a great, upcoming field for women. I ended up writing my English class career paper on dental hygiene, and the rest is history!
In my senior year of high school, I worked in a co-op program as a dental assistant for old Doc Shidler, who still used a belt-driven handpiece. (Talk about an experience!) Then I headed to college to study dental hygiene. After graduating, I began what became a twenty-five-plusyear clinical career that included full-time, part-time, and substitute positions in general dentistry, pedodontics, and a final ten years in periodontics.
So you might be thinking, “How does a hygienist become an image consultant?” If you’re familiar with the popularity of “color analysis” in the 80s and 90s, this is where my journey into the image industry started. It was an accidental entrepreneurial adventure, initially in tandem with my hygiene career. I had my “colors done” because I loved fashion and make-up. Then I became certified in color analysis and started a side gig business as a color and make-up consultant.
As my business grew, I developed an additional focus on professional presence development and personal brand strategy. Ultimately, I joined and became a certified image consultant through the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) before plunging into my image consulting business full-time.
LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY
I’ve learned more than a few lessons while traveling this life and professional journey.
From Grandma and Dad – My parents were divorced, and because my dad was a long-distance semi-truck driver, my two brothers and I were raised by my widowed Grandma, Lou. She and Dad taught me that life happens and you do what you have to do to move forward, even if you have to take a step back or reconfigure your way. They taught me the lessons in stick-to-it-ness, grit, and flexibility that all entrepreneurs need.
From Mentors – Mentors seemed to show up at just the right time, often without realizing that’s what they were. For example, Betty DeHaven, my first mentor in the image industry, came to me just because I was eager to learn more. Without her guidance and recommendations, my business wouldn’t have become what it is today. She was the one who encouraged me to join my local chamber of commerce and the AICI. She also showed me how important it was to generate and accept speaking engagements, even though I was scared to death. Many other mentors, coaches, business friends, family members, and my husband Patrick have supported me during the journey. They have taught me that it takes a village and that doing it alone isn’t the way to go. In various forms, I’ve always had a team to support me.
From Dr. Coverly – He was the periodontist I worked with and was my last permanent employer as a hygienist. During the years when I was learning the craft of image management while still practicing as a hygienist, I observed his style of patient care, his mannerisms, his professional presence, and the values that underpinned his practice. I learned that I could combine my background and passions into an entrepreneurial package that I’ve been able to use to help others achieve their dreams.
YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSET
But perhaps the essential lesson I’ve learned is this: the most valuable asset in any business isn’t a brand, a product, or a strategy. It’s you and your team, especially you. Your mindset, your professional presence and image, your resilience, and your ability to build meaningful connections are what ultimately define success.
Look at your dental practice. Odds are, there’s another practice in the same building and others down the street. Outside of clinical expertise (which your patients don’t necessarily know how to evaluate), it’s the people in your practice who will set the standard, create positive impressions, and generate happy returning and referring patients. YOU will drive success for the practice and your career. And this holds true even if, like me, you’ve moved into a different career or developed your own business.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
To make the best use of yourself as your greatest asset, you need to think holistically. In keeping with this, over the years, a total image management model has become KDIC’s foundation and the methodology underpinning our services. The “Total Presence” approach we use includes
a combination of how a person thinks, looks, acts, speaks, and dresses. It’s not just one or two areas of your image that you need to pay attention to, but an overall approach and mindset. How do you develop and support all aspects of presenting yourself well while generating a strategic, great impression?
If you think that image is more than how you dress professionally, you’re correct. Your clothes, though important, are not the most important factor. Ultimately, success depends on your mastery of the five areas of Total Image Development. Mastering one without the others will be like trying to drive a car that is missing a wheel or two.
• The Hidden – This “inner image” is your sense of self. It includes your beliefs, attitudes, personality, selfesteem, and confidence.
• The Assumed – This is your reputation. It must be carefully created, maintained, and guarded.
• The Seen – Visual presentation counts for 55% of the impression we make. When you dress and act in the manner expected of a successful person, most people will assume that you possess the talent, personality, and characteristics to match that image.
• The Experienced – This is the behavior and communication skills factor. Effective, courteous behavior will produce lasting relationships and professional endeavors that run more smoothly and gain quicker results.
• The Proven – This factor is the combination and results of your talents, successes, and failures as they’re proven over time.
This model is one way to help you think about how you want to shape your professional presence. Your goal is to establish a deliberate, favorable impression that’s authentic to you.
So, yes, you need to take image management seriously. It’s a critical part of you utilizing yourself as that greatest asset. In any situation you’re facing, think ahead of time about who you’ll be in contact with, where, and how. What visuals and behaviors are those people likely to consider as positive and trustworthy? How do you want to come across? How do you want to appear and behave to make the most of that situation?
When you consciously set the right tone for all of your interactions, over time you’ll shape a strategic, consistent impression — a professional brand if you will — and grow more confidence in the decisions you make.
YOUR JOURNEY
Wherever you are in your professional/life journey, stop and take some time to consider what successes you’ve had and what you want for the future. Can any of the lessons I’ve shared or ideas from the Total Presence approach help you in your journey? Are you happy with the professional presence you’ve established so far? And will your presence today help you achieve the success you desire for the future?
Whatever your profession, and whether you work for someone else or run your own business, the “recipe” is the same. Invest in yourself, believe in your value, establish a positive presence, and surround yourself with the right people. Yes, it will take hard work. But you have everything you need within you to create success.
About the author:
Kelly Duggan is president and founder of KELLY DUGGAN Image Consulting, LLC. She is a certified image manager, coach, speaker, consultant, and Registered Dental Hygienist. An awardwinning member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), Kelly is a past president of the AICI Chicago Midwest chapter and currently serves on the executive committee as treasurer of the AICI’s Global Board of Directors. Contact her at https://kellyduggan.com/ and https://linktr.ee/kdiconsulting
DOWN ON THE PHARM TO RUNWAY READY
By Beverly Wilburn
Dearest DeW ,
When sparks fly, a full-blown fire might just ignite. That’s precisely what happened when Sang Tran, Pharmacist turned Chief of Operations for West Chester Family Dentistry, attended her very first DeW retreat. Sparks of connection led to sparks of friendship, and sparks of inspiration led to a brilliant business opportunity.
Inspired by the confident, joyful energy of the annual DeW fashion show, and having the opportunity to meet fellow DeWs Dora Pesqueda and Olivia Smith, the three decided to grab a bite after the show to keep the conversation going and to share their personal and professional journeys. Sang, motivated by Dora’s passion project, her nonprofit, The Smile Zone, instantly connected with Dora’s mission. “I’m also passionate about giving back and supporting nonprofits.” Fueled by the show and the deep connections that followed, Sang went home asking herself one big question: “How can I bring THIS back to our office and community?” What is THIS you may ask? THIS is a spark. It’s when extraordinary women build empires in industries.
Sang’s spark turned into Fresh Fits: From Work to Weekend, a runway-style recruiting event hosted by her practice. Sang partnered with women-owned local businesses, like Golden Day Boutique, Cincy Scrubs, and Beaux Mondes Salon & Spa, to boost the event’s success and to foster stronger connections in her community. “Finding great people to join our team is more challenging today, and we needed a fresh way to show people what we have to offer. Our team jumped on board, and led by our hygienist Michelle, they went all in.” Sang’s team created
hiring cards and were encouraged and excited to hand them out as invitations to patients and friends. “We gave people a front-row seat to what it feels like to work with us.”
The result? It worked. A total hiring glow-up. When West Chester Family Dentistry hit the runway to show off their practice’s vibrant culture and style, they gained a treatment coordinator and a hygienist, and the whole team gained something even better— shared joy and momentum. “It was a blast,” Sang says. “Our patients and team members rocked the runway. We turned a hiring need into a culture moment.”
The truth is, the THIS that Sang was looking for, bringing back to her office, is exactly what Sang already does best—infuse heart into business. And it’s not just her team she’s lifting up.
“I’m always cheering on women in dentistry,” she shares, glowing with pride as she talks about her daughter Lauren, who’s finishing dental school at Ohio State. “I want her—and every woman—to know there will be tough moments. But there’s always another strong woman out there who gets it, who’s been through it, and who’s rooting for you. That’s the DeW spirit I try to carry forward every day.”
When I asked Sang how she’d describe the DeW community and the feelings of her first retreat, she said: “It’s like a dream team of smart, confident, supportive women who want to see each other win. It’s part inspiration, part empowerment, and a whole lot of fun.”
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